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Since a very adoption of the United States Constitution, the issue of presidential incapacitation remained not clarified at all, although these situations happened before. It's hard to imagine more dangerous situation that a disabled President, who can't exercise his powers and duties, but there is no one who can legitimately acts on his behalf. Especially, when important and legitimate decisions are required.

When President Wilson suffered a massive stroke on October 2, 1919, a future of America and rest of the world were at stake. And the President himself was in a very center of a dispute regarding future American role in international affairs. Wilson's stroke, which was keep a secret at first, would effectively removed him from play and hand decision to hostile Senate, which was ready to bitterly oppose his ambitious plans and ideas.

Around mid-October most of cabinet officials were aware of the situation, as well as Democratic Party leaders, who saw an opportunity, since Wilson was more and more unpopular, to improve their damaged statute simply by having new, popular and "clean" President (or at least President in all but name) at place: Vice President Thomas R. Marshall, who was largely kept out of important affairs by Wilson, but who remained one of the most liked public figures.

Secretary of State Robert Lansing started to like the idea, but Wilson rejected to either resign from office or agree to hand over his responsibilities. Also, Marshall himself was reluctant to take the rein, but after several talks, despite bitter opposition from Edith Wilson and President's influential Secretary, Joseph Patrick Tumulty, on November 13, 1919 Wilson agreed under a heavy pressure to hand over his powers to formal second-in-command, although still refused to resign.

The same day, after breaking Marshall objections, which turned out to be even more difficult than Mrs. Wilson opposition, the Cabinet, in an unprecedented legally and historically move, declared him as the Acting President of the United States, meeting no opposition from courts and the Congress, whose leaders preferred to have weak Wilson as opponent, but avoided a clash with highly popular Vice President.

And thus the great legal test and the great historical challenge begun.

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Thomas R. Marshall (D-IN)
Acting President of the United States
November 19, 1919 - ...

To be continued...

The Acting Presidency of Thomas R. Marshall

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Vice (and now Acting) President Marshall immediately found himself on a very uneasy position. While he certainly could count on broad public support, due to years of political isolation, imposed by Wilson, he lacked a political base within his own party.

Secretary of State Robert Lansing, who played a key role in "the coup" (as refereed by hard-die Wilson supporters, who now considered Marshall and an entire Cabinet as traitors), had a clear ambitions to play even more important role in the cabinet, as it's most powerful member, serving under a "weak" Acting President. His critics and friends alike called him sometimes, during first weeks, as "The Prime Minister".

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Robert Lansing, an ambitious Secretary of State

Marshall himself was aware of the situation and initially planned to more "preside" over the entire machine of government, than "lead", giving more powerful Secretary this unofficial position. "I know my limits", Acting President commented in his close circle.

Marshall also wished to be still referred to as the "Vice President", instead "President". "I'm just a temporary deputy in charge", he explained. This respectful and low key approach only fueled his popularity.

For initial months he maintained this course, until Lansing crossed the line by making several important decisions regarding not only foreign, but also internal politics, especially with dealing with now Republican-controlled Congress. This prompted still reluctant Marshall to first ask Lansing to resign, and, after he refused to do so, to dismiss him on January 2, 1920, which move was uncontested despite lack of clear procedure following impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.

Thus, Marshall had now to take the rein firmly into his hand, as many important decisions were required as soon as just possible.

Marshall is intellectually unfit to be the President, disabled Woodrow Wilson complained at the White House residency, while his formal deputy was carrying out the duties of the office downstairs. This is going to be disaster, Edith, a disaster for the country. This small-town attorney will kill all our beloved dreams by simply being too little.

Meanwhile, Acting President Marshall begun his "effective (as dated since Lansing removal) rule" with some unusual, yet very symbolic gestures. A longtime death penalty foe, which was rather an "eccentric" political position back in those days, Marshall insisted no federal execution will take place as long as he's in charge of clemency/reprieves business. While the most of establishment at least would smile with an irony (as capital punishment was yet to become an important political issue) on "another weirdness of the ole Tom", the second matter was much more controversial.

Early in January 1920 Marshall gave a full pardon Socialist leader, Eugene Victor Debs, jailed by his antiwar stance, as well as many other, inprisonmed by the Wilson administration.

America have no right, at least for sake of our traditions, to jail people for political believes, the Acting President has stated. What is he doing for the Lord Almighty sake?!, Wilson screamed, when he was informed about that move. He's releasing these un-American traitors!

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Eugene V. Debs speaking to his supporters, moments after his release

Unfortunately, the number of Republicans and Democrats alike were not comfortable with "Red Eugene" release and Marshall accused "weakness on radicals". That might have become a huge problem for him, as he approached a really serious battle.

During his entire political career, as prominent Democratic activist in Indiana, Governor and Vice President, Marshall has been known as an unbasched progressive.

He wasn’t also known for any ability to work with the legislative branches before, as Indiana House and Senate blocked most of his agenda, during his sit in the State House. Yet, somewhat ironically, due to his fun and easy-going personality, he enjoyed good personal relationship with many Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike. Democratic leaders certainly hoped that this may be a factor to sought more understantment and, possibly, common ground with Republican-dominated Congress, esspecially on a wake of infamous Wilson-Lodge feud.

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Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA)

Now, key point of Marshall agenda in foreign affairs was to secure somehow a support to allow U.S. membership in the League of Nations. He gained a two valuable allies in persons of former Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Roosevelt shared Lodge wiev that U.S. need to be more involved in foreign policy and esspecially called for a much harsher policy toward defeated Germany, including heavy contributions and even military occupation presence.

Lodge naturally, as one of the earliers proponent of war entry, was not an isolationist, but was really catious toward bounding the United States into a international organizations.

By March 1920 Marshall, Lodge, Roosevelt and Senate Minority Leader Oscar Underwood (D-AL) comes with some sort compromise. U.S. shall join the League, but under more privledged terms than European powers, like for example being excluded from the Permanent Court of International Justice and International Labour Organization. U.S. also resevred a rights to make separate peace treaty with Germany, under conditions of harsher contributions and disarment, oversees by some of remaining in Europe U.S. troops. General Pershing went eventually to become first U.S. High Commissioner in Germany.

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General of the Armies John J. Pershing, 1st United States High Commissioner in Germany (1921-)

Also, by the process, the United States, much of British displeasure, was assigned with one League Mandate in the Middle East: Mesopotamia.

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John W. Davis, second Marshall’s Secretary of State (1920-1921) and the the first U.S. High Commissioner in Mandate of Mesopotamia (from 1921)

Formally, due to keeping a partial terms of the agreement made mostly by British before Arab revolts, territories of Mesopotamia, Palestine and Transjordan (as French mandate of Greater Syria was excluded) were formed into a new Hashemite Kingdom, under a rule of the Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif of Mecca and King of Hejaz, who uses a title of Caliph. In fact, for now, these territories were governed separately by foreign powers.

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Brokering the agreement was the last success of former President Roosevelt, who died on a heart attack, while prepearing to another White House bid, on April 1, 1920.

Marshall Acting Presidency was of course preoccupied by maitaining the government working per se and foreign affairs, so he simply have to time to acheive any of his progressive ambitions in domectic front, with an sole exception of the passing new Child Labor Regulation Act in May.

Next: 1920 elections.

Even while brokering a deal with Marshall adminstration, Republicans remained a highly confident about their chances to retake the White House in 1920. Marshall was widely thought to be a relucant, yet pretty effective, caretaker, who’d rather want to retire, than mount a campaign. And, frankly speaking, he was the only formidable, by popularity standards, Democrat who could possibly be competentive and come out from a shadow of disabled, yet very unpopular nationwidely Wilson.

Until his death, former President Theodore Roosevelt was considered a front-runner for the nomination and the surest from sure bets in general, but his death cut off these calculations shorthy.

The 1920 Republican National Convention with two initial frontrunners: General Leonard Wood and former Illinois Governor Frank Lowden stucked and it took over 80 ballots to choose a compromise candidate in a person of Conservative Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge, who became nationally recognized figure following putting down Boston Police Strike. Senator Lodge was instrumental in securing the nomination. Vice Presidential nod went to 1912 “replacement” nominee, Columbia University President Nicholas M. Butler.

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Governor Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts, Republican Party presidential nominee

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Columbia University President Nicholas M. Butler, Republican Party vice presidential nominee

The 1920 Democratic National Convention went into the same chaos. Marshall earlier announced he’s not seeking the nomination and intially former Secretary of the Treasury and Wilson own son-in-law William Gibbs McAdoo was considered frontrunner. Yet, former Secretary of State and three-time failed presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan injected himself in again, preventing McAgoo from winning.

Then disabled yet aware, President Wilson make his last, desperate political effort by sending to the convention an adress, proposing to nominate him for the third time, although it was widely understood he’s neither able to campaign and govern, yet to win. But that move broke up McAdoo camp, yet not give Bryan a majority needed. Wilson after the fiasco tried also to recruit either Governor James M. Cox of Ohio or Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer as “his candidates”, but unsuccesfully.

That prompted party elders to approach Acting President again with arguments, that he’s literally the only hope for Democrats to win, as McAdoo is unelectable ue to close ties with Wilson and Bryan is just a “professional loser”. It was really hard to pressure Marshall to accept draft movement, but efforts succeeded and in 48th ballot he was nominated.

Democrats nominated a suprise somewhat candidate for the Vice Presidency: 38-year old longtime Wilson protege and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York. An energetic Roosevelt seemed to be valuable “campaigning” add to the ticket.

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Former Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democratic Party vice presidential nominee.

Although general feelings of the country were Republican-dominated, Coolidge made a grevious mistake by taking it for granted and doing almost no campaigning. Marshall, on the other side, was excellent in public meetings and was able to ulitize his great personal popularity, togehter with active Roosevelt campaign. Finally, after the League deal, Republicans were unable to use isolationist theme as well. That all allowed Democrats to acheive rather narrow, but historic win,

Also, there was another shock of the election night; a stronger even than in 1912 performance of Socialist Eugene V. Debs, who additionally won electoral votes in Wisconsin[/color]

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Acting President Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana/Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York (Democratic): 279 electoral votes, 47% popular vote
Governor J. Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts/Nicholas M. Butler of New York (Republican): 239 electoral votes, 45% of popular vote
Eugene V, Debs/Seymour Stedman of Illinois (Socialist Party): 13 electoral votes, 7% of popular vote
Others: 1% of popular vote

Presidency of Thomas R. Marshall

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Thomas R. Marshall (D-IN), 29th President of the United States
March 4, 1921 – present

Aiming finally to push his desired progressive agenda, now offcial-President Marshall was able, despite some intial low exceptations, to forge a unofficial coallition with Progressive Republicans, namely William E. Borah, Robert La Follette and Hiram W. Johnson.

Marshall frequently travelled and adressed the people all around the country, becoming one of the first Presidents ever to use such a technique on that level to gain a support for his policies.

Marshall pushed to establish the Bureau of Veteran Affairs in order to take care primarly of these returning from European battlegrounds. That particular initiative was passed with a broad support.

In a notheworthy gesture, day after formally taking an office, Marshall commuted all death sentences imposed by federal courts, and routinely continued to commute the newer.

As of more controversial initiatives, the President, throught the series of the executive orders overhauled severeal Government agencies.

Ironically a Democrat who couldn’t been elected without the Solid South votes become one of the first Presidents since the 19th century to adress Civil Rights Issue. Some attributed this to his own lack of poltical fear about consequences. Marshall is not planning to be President for long and he cares more about those damn Negroes than our glorious party!, Wilson commented at retirement. However due to Southern filibuster a anty-lynching legislation, proposed by the White House, failed short, with an unofficial support from Vice President Roosevelt, who already planned his own bid. Marshall, however, banned racial segregation in the D.C. Government offices.

A lifelong opponent of the eugenics, just like while Governor, Marshall ordered federal institutions against performing certaing practicies and called for a clear legislative ban, which also didn’t happened.

As of key successes, togehter with Senate Minority Leader Oscard Underwood and La Follette the Supporting Act of 1921, in a wake of shortived recession, was passed and signed into a law. That become a philar of future Social Security System. Another successsful measured passed to combat sharp recession inclused Job Acts of 1921.

Another important act was a Wilderness Conservation Act, passed also in 1921. Another intention behind the act was also to fight unemployment.

Ironically, however, foreign policy of the Marshall administration turned out to be much more eventful.

Post World War I United States-British relations were not as good as used to be. But United States-French relations turned out to be the best since the times Rochambeau and La Fayette fought along with American colonist.

Washington and Paris shared a desire to give defeated Germany a “serious treatment” and to put them into a real control. Both sides also cooperated actively in the Middle Eastern mandates. By 1921, press term of “Washington-Paris Axis” had been coined. British were dissapointed both by strenghtening French statute in Europe and denying them a vital Meshopotamia.

According to the terms, late that year U.S. and the Weimar Republic signed a separate peace treaty, which legitimized a presence of U.S./French supervisory troops, imposed harshed contributions to be given to France and disarment.

Bavaria, where many of U.S. troops stationed, became an area of real troubles and fight between right-wing Freikorpses, Government forces and communists. In January 1922 the former attempted to install, trying to ignore American presence, a new government via some-kind coup. American troops stood firmly on Berlin side and helped to put the uprising down. Most of the leaders were imprisoned by Weimar authorities, but two of the most extremist, alligned with minor National Socialist Party, Anton Dexler and Adolf Hitler, an Austrian native, were convicted by U.S. field court for a death of two servicemen and hanged.

In the Middle East meanwhile...

It’s hard indeed to imagine a person worse suited for this job than John W. Davis, wrote historian Arthur Schlesinger in his book about U.S. policy on the Middle East in 1960s. A brilliant lawyer and diplomat on the European courts, yes, but who had no slightest idea about the region and it’s people. French and British, who have already an experience with the region, filled the supervisory posts with an experts. But Middle East was novum for the Americans. Yet, that was not a justification. David acted in his Baghdad palace like he would act in New York chancellery or on Washigton exclusive parties, ignoring all local traditions and reality. He refused to get interested even a little. While he was Ambassador in London, he acted like a diplomat, but was also committed that Arabs and Muslims are inferior, so he don’t bother with any forms and learn anything. Davis openly told Caliph Hussein, who nominally rules the entire empire, but his real power lies in Najaz, outside divided Mandates, to stay away. Mecca Sharif described him, pretty truthfully, as an arrogant son of a dog.

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“An arrogant son of a dog”.

The only reason of course Davis get that position was his own statue within establishment. “Boy”, Marshall said himself, after signing the nomination. “John know about the Middle East as much as me, which means nothing, but do I have anyone else to appoint there?”

We need to remember that Marshall since very start was lukewarm toward taking Mesopotamia mandate. “We’re getting into something and I don’t like it”, but expansionist pressed on so he couldn’t, even with his courage, fight that. And we were getting closer and closer into our nightmare....

Even when Mesopotamia was, briefly, under British control, the new, European, rulers hadn’t to wait long to experience first serious “problems”.

Naturally, Arab population of newly-established mandates, who started a fight against Ottoman rule desiring for regaining, finally, an independence and free identity, feel used and tricked, as Europeans and now Americans too, imposed the new colonial rule instead.

French in the Greater Syria and British in Palestine performed little better, as they already have an experience in the region. Americans, on the other hand, who took over the largest and richest area, seemed to take it just like they did with Phillipines or any other posession. With the same fateful mistakes.

Commissioner Davis had an ambitious plans to improve the economy and administration of Mesopotamia, but possesed a mentioned, infamous inability to see local environment . While British and French tried to reach for powerful tribal and local leaders and remained aware of the sensitive cultural issues.

Davis didn’t believed he need to think about support from local tribal and urban leaders. Davis didn’t cared if in order to build a new factory he have to damage an aicent heritage. Davis didn’t tolerated men wearing traditional Arab clothes near to him. Sad truth was that this great attorney and diplomat was a closed-minded xenophobe and simply a blue-blood ignorant, when it comes to Iraq, then-Captain Dwight Eisenhower, who was stationing in Mesopotamia at the time in no other place, but in Commissioner’s Office, wrote in his memories. He just acted like people from the Manifest Destiny era used to act, believing that he can impose American system on diffrent culture and that he’s 100 per cents right.

Indeed, most expansionist circles in Washington mounted a campaign to annex a Mesopotamia. We’re going to rebuild this land and it natural, we would then like to admitt it to the great American family, Senator Albert Fall, a Republican of New Mexico called openly during a speech. And there is a lot of place for Americans, who are looking for something new there. Now I see that clearly that our duty is to civilize these Arabs and convert them to the Christianity, Senator J. Thomas Heflin, a Democrat of Alabama added.

I have really a bad feelings about that, President Marshall commented privately to his wife, Lois. I never saw a purpouse of going into there but that was a part of the deal.

Indeed, despite full of confience assurements from the side of Vice President Roosevelt, who traveled to the Mandate in Summer 1921, just few days later, after a lot of another stupid missteps, an regular uprising broke in Basra, being followed by fights in other parts of the country.

Terrified President Marshall decided to recall Davis from the post, but that could not stop the chain of events.

By the end of 1922 the Presidency of Marshall was widely viewed as a great success. Regarding foreign policy, the United States became one of the leading powers in the world, already with privledged postion. I believe in the good will and cooperation between the nations, Marshall said in one of his speeches during frequent travels around te country. Althought little noted at that time, unlike his predecessor, who once said I’m going to teach these Latinos how to elect good people, Marshall never ordered any military intervention in the Latin America.

Yet, the Mesopotamia crisis was something which worried more and more the President. Marshall was one of those progressives, who were at least lukewarm toward territorial expansionism. But that was the part of the deal, a deal we needed to save the League. But it may cost us more than it was worth, Marshall commented in private.

In addition to regular fight with Sunni and Shia Arabs in Mesopotamia, there were two additional problems: Kurds in the Northern, mountain part of the mandate, who demanded a full independence back in 1918, proclaimed now a “Kingdom of Kurdistan”, with Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji proclaimed as the first Monarch.

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King of Kurdistan

Kurdistan, of course, was not given an recognition by any country. More, the United States forces gained an valuable ally in persons of yesterday enemy: the Turks. President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ordered the Turkish forces to assist Americans in fighting the Kurds, who were considered by Turkey as the numer one enemies, due to having a large and independently-minded Kurdish populations withing their own limits.

The second problem appeared in the Kuwait Governate, where highly influental Al-Sabah family, which ruled these territories under Otomans, remained U.S.-oriented, but desired to have the province separated from Mesopotamia.

Vice President Roosevelt quickly joined the camp which demanded the use of the strongest force in the region.

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Vice President Franklin D. Roosevelt

President Marshall was looking meanwhile for the better replacement highly unfortunate commissioner Davis.

As, with Mesopotamia exception, Marshall foreign policy was considered a success, the domestic policy was successfull as well. While the President was certainly unable to push most of his progressive agenda, thanks to cooperation with Bull Moose Republicans and faithful Democrats, as stated before, he was able to succesfully arrest the early 1920s brief, yet severe, recession, establisment of something, which would later become Social Security system, initiating new wide phase conservation policy and esuring more friendly climate toward workers.

But perhaps most outstanding and long-lasting role Marshall had played in the internal affairs were his efforts to rebuildt almost-dead under last years of Wilson leadership Democratic Party and empowering the American progressivism. His frequent travels, speeched and meeting with the people with a message become one of the greatest legends of the American politics.

In results of the 1922 midterm elections, Republicans retained the controll of both congressional chambers, but Marshall had an “ideological majority” as well. Also Socialist Party, encouraged by Debs success in 1920, held now 6 seath in House.

Meanwhile, unfortunatelly, the President’s health proceeded to degenerade, mostly due to Middle Eastern troubles. While confering with “Colonel” Edwin M. House, once Wilson right-hand man, who then fell out of favor to return to help the new President, on December 11, 1922, Marshall suffered a massive heart attack and shorthy thereafter died, becoming another victim of the “zero curse”.

Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY), 30th President of the United States
December 11, 1922 - present

Vice President Roosevelt, who was meeting at the time with a group of Senators on Capitol Hill, has been notified quickly about President Marshall’s passing and sworn-in by called federal judge.

Just like his famous Republican cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt assumed the highest office via succession. He also already set the new record for the youngest President, at age of 40.

President Roosevelt was catious from very begining. After paying a respect to his deceased predecessor and asking the cabinet members to stay in offices, he carefully avoided any political declarations, except of course “continuation”, but, behind the close doors, he became fully focused on “solving the Mesopotamia problem”.

Presidents:

28th: T. Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ), March 4, 1913 – March 4, 1921
Acting: Thomas R. Marshal (D-IN), November 19, 1919 – March 4, 1921
29th: Thomas R. Marshall (D-IN), March 4, 1921 – December 11, 1922
30th: Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY), December 11, 1922 - present

Vice Presidents:

28th: Thomas R. Marshall (D-IN), March 4, 1913 – March 4, 1921
29th: Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY), March 4, 1921 – December 11, 1922
Vacant, December 11, 1922 - present

The new President proudly reffered himself as a „Wilsonian” for a number of times and indeed, he was much closer in his wievs to the former President, who was still living coffined to a bed in a Washington home, rather to his immediate predecessor.

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President Roosevelt with Senator James M. Cox of Ohio

The series of failures in Mesopotamia radicalized the feelings of the American political establishment. That’s beyond my mind how we can be so soft on these barbarians!, Senator Heflin of Alabama exclaimed on the Senate floor, praising “a true American hero, Commissioner Davis, and his tireless efforts”.

Once the U.S. become a first-class powers, there were a little understanding for the reality in the Mandate, just like there were no understanding in the past, regading, for example, the Phillipines. Public opinion and policians wanted fights to be put down and reestablishing a firm control.

Looked like only President Marshall had both a position and will to defy these calls. Senate Majority Whip Charles Curtis (R-KS) had became the one of literally handful politicians who urged the new President to took a more catious approach. Due to his own Native American roots he understood the significance of cultural and social differences. However, his calls remained largerly unheard of.

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Senator Charles Curtis (R-KS)

Just few days into a new year, on January 4, 1923, President Roosevelt delivered his famous (or infamous) speech in Albany, New York. The United States shall never let the group of barbarians to stip on our Star Splended Banner, under which we bring freedom and prosperity to this land. And the United States shall never abandon the Arabic people, who are waiting for our lead. We will use every measure in this fight for peace and progress and our enemies won’t know what hit them. But the will know, who hit them!

Shorthy thereafter, the President had appointed General Peyton C. March, who already had smilliar experiences in the Phillippines to be both High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief of U.S. forces in Mesopotamia.

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General March

On March 23, 1923 U.S. Air Corps units in Mesopotamia mandate started the operation codenamed the "Urgent Fury", prepeared by General March staff and approved personally by President Roosevelt and Secretary of War Henry S. Breckinridge.

That day, U.S. aircrafts drooped the battle gasses in a severeal locations in newly proclaimed Kingdom of Kurdistan. Due to the mountain character of these areas, before that move, U.S. forces have a serious problems with the advancing.

In the Sunni/Shia Arab areas rebels were unable to organize smilliary to the Kurdish level and the uprising was conducted by the number of decentralized semi-guerrilas groups.

From the very begining of conflict U.S. closest ally in the international relations, France, was deeply worried about the situation, which could directly undermine their position in Syria. Accordingly, in July a French Special Corps arrived throught Greater Syria mandate to Mesopotamia, in order to aid American friends in fighting common enemy: Arab nationalists.

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General Maxime Weygand, Commander of the French Forces in the Middle East

By the end of the year, fights were largerly put down and President Roosevelt, reffered by the progressives around the world, as "Chemical Frankie", became almost a "hero" for the majority of American opinion, which supported the efforts to "put these ungrateful Arabs down". Expansionist feelings skyrocketed, even if Roosevelt decided against formally annexing Mesopotamia.

In January 1924 Barzani had been captured while trying to cross a border with Persia. He was given a quick "trail" by military authorities, sentenced to death, which General March personally approved. In February ill-fated Kurdish King was put to death in Baghdad jail electric chair: one of the inventions of the "civilized world" the U.S. brought there, just like they did to the Phillippines.

While the U.S. and President Roosevelt firmly controlled the situation now, the uprising and brutal supressing in perspective strenghted Arab independence and nationalist feelings, as well as damages U.S. reputation worldwide.

Due to economic prosperity after short-lived recession and a wishpered thriumphalism following putting down the “Mesopotamia Rebellion”, President Roosevelt become even more popular than his suddenly deceased predecessor. Marshall had no balls, he commented to his close aides in private. I have.

In order to not dimish his huge already election prespectives, Roosevelt take a little action, beside foreign affairs during his “first term”, and had already a very comfortable explanation that he need to be elected on his own to carry out his own agenda.

What was Roosevelt vision? Only few people could guessed. Progressives still hoped that he’ll, at least out of strict pragmatism, carry out Marshall agenda, but declarative President’s “wilsonianism” worried them. While, despite some progressive wing leaders urgings, most notably from Oscar W. Underwood, to use prosperity to carry on Marshall ambitious program, he havent’t do much on intiative field, he also didn’t turned to the right either.

Among notable events during FDR’s first, partial, term, were: passing the treaty to indemnify Colombia for its loss of Panama and raising, once again, of the so-called “Red Scare”, which was previously calmed down by Marshall.

1924 election

Without any suprises, Roosevelt easily captured the Democratic nomination for the full term, selecting Senator Underwood, a Southerner and a dedicated Progressive in once, as his running-mate. Many saw that as a sig of hope to more liberal direction. Underwood himself commented in a closed circle: Either I’ll turn out as a helper in carrying out a right direction, or just as a facade. I’m worried a little, but I couldn’t refuse to the President. No one would understand why.

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Senator Oscar W. Underwood (D-AL), Democratic Party nominee for Vice President of the United States.

As of Republican field, just as four years before, the Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, turned out to be chaotic. Progressive votes were splitted between longtime rival for a control of that wing, Hiram W. Johnson and Robert La Follette. Conservatives were represented by House Majority Leader Nicholas Longworth, former Governor Calvin Coolidge and Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio. After severeal deadlocked ballot and mutual eliminations, convention had to turned into some drafted compromise candidates, like former Governor Frank O. Lowden of Ohio, who eventually defeated narrowly Johnson during the 17th ballot. In order to appease progressive wing, Senator William E. Borah of Idaho, acceatable to both La Follette and Johnson, was nominated for Vice President.

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Former Governor Frank O. Lowden (R-ID), Republican Party nominee for President of the United States

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Senator William E. Borah (R-ID), Republican Party nominee for Vice President of the United States

While Roosevelt was considered a shoo-in, with Lowden running uninspiring and little active campaign, the President nothelessly traveled and meet with the voters frequently. Reportedly, when asked why he bothers to do tha, he replied with a laugh: Well, at least for sport.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York/Senator Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama (Democratic Party): 53% pv, 382 Evs
Former Governor Frank O. Lowden of Illinois/Senator William E. Borah of Idaho (Republican Party): 45% 148 Evs
Others: 2% pv

Permanent Prosperity
The First Term of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Two Ps: Permanent Prosperity.

This was the most memorable line from President Franklin D. Roosevelt inaugural adress in March 1925, as he pledged to maitain and expand economic prosperity the country enjoyed.

After brief takeover by the Progressives under Marshall, looks like Democrats returned to the good ole’ Bourbon days, TIME magazine commented. It’s hard to expect from Mr. Roosevelt to continue his deceased predecessor ambitious progressive agenda, which is more and more popular among the Republicans now, after failure of the conservative rebellion. Theodore Roosevent could be proud to see his bull moose philosophy becoming dominant there, but ambarrased a bit to see his nephew to follow an example of William McKinley or Grover Cleveland.

Indeed, all hopes from Democratic progressive wing, represented now primarly by Vice President Underwood, seemed to be doomed at begining. Roosevelt and his close advisors visibly believed that they can maitain a prosperity, which was, ironically, ensured in a large part by agressive stimulus enacted by Marshall, without making any important reforms. Laisse-fairism triumphs in Washington, London TIMES wrote.

Notable members of the FDR cabinet:

Vice President: Oscar W. Underwood (D-AL)
Secretary of State: James M. Cox (D-OH)
Secretary of the Treasury: Pat Harrison (D-MS)
Secretary of War: Henry S. Breckinridge (D-NY)
Attorney General: John W. Davis (D-WV)
Secrerary of the Navy: David I. Walsh (D-MA)
Secretary of the Interior: Moses Alexander (D-ID)
Secreatry of Agriculture: Charles W. Byran (D-NE)
Secretary of Labor: George L. Berry (D-TN)

Cabinet was, of course, dominated by the “Bourbon” fraction and Secretary Berry, one of few progressives there, once lamented: I feel like a decoration.

Talk Elections

Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion => Election What-ifs? => Topic started by: MASHED POTATOES. VOTE! on March 01, 2010, 09:36:23 PM